The Coffin is Too Big For

The Hole
By Kuo Pao Kun
Author’s Background
Point of View
• 1st person
Reluctance to Adapt Changes
Reader Response Theory
The author makes a liberal reference at the early governing style in
Singapore with this simple comedic play of a grandson trying to bury his
grandfather. The play reflects the sociopolitical landscape in Singapore
till today, which one may suggest. It is a play about the resistance of
individuals over authority and the challenges faced.
Modernisation & Moderation
Helplessness of a citizen

The play resonate

with anyone who
have experienced the
rigidity of authority
and rules when the
situation calls for
obvious flexibility
A powerful lament on
the helplessness of a
citizen living in a rigid
country.

The effort of a
grandson to bury his
grandfather’s
oversized coffin in a
small plot.
Plot
Climax

- The funeral
Rising Action parlour man
refused to dig a
The coffin didn’t bigger hole for
fit the hole as it the coffin.
was too big. -The grandson
Exposition went to see the
officer-in-charge.
The author started
the play by telling
the dream keeps
coming back to
him.
 Falling Action
-The officer-in-charge compromised by
making exception to the grandson.
-The officer-in-charge was voted The
Most Humane Personality of the Year.

Resolution
The burial completed.
Grandpa Traditional expecting a huge and
like the grand funeral like the
olden days olden days. (page 33)

Rich old
man

Well prepare his coffin

prepared early before he died
Grandson

Responsible
Filial grandson for his family

Firm
Officer
Negotiable and firm

He give an exception for the grandson to buried the coffin in

two plot.

Creative and humour

give suggestion for the grandson to delay the funeral until the
next day so that his father can be buried next to a baby’s coffin.
Funeral man
Could not give
instance
Rigid and
response to
inflexible
the current
situation

The author
The stereotype
uses to
of the worker
characterize
who has
the worker
memorized his
who does his
pitch
job by rote
 Rigid
rules

Rules
Embarrassed
the grandson
One man, one
for not being
grave, one plot
able to carry
(pg 37)
out the funeral
smoothly
Setting
Singapore wanted to build their own identity.
• Produce a good image and identity by using the law to make it possible.
• They are not flexible and too rigid to accept changes.

Should be liberal and more flexible according to the

situation.
• The manager of the cemetery compromised by approving the big coffin
into the hole. He was awarded Most Humane Personality of the Year.

Time:
1970s
Place Setting
 Show that
His father is rich, he
protagonist and his
Too big wants a grand coffin
family from wealthy
for his funeral
background.

Shows the wealthy Grandfather’s

of the family
House
Cemetery

The real conflict happen which

The parlour director keeps
is the coffin is too big for the
saying “You see sir…”
hole.

The undertaker cannot make

Officer-in-charge is
the plot wider because he has
uncompromising. He reluctant
work according to a standard
to widen to plot.
size (pg 36).
Singapore

Show how strict Densely

This play shows
rules produce a populated nation
how ridiculous
society that with a small
the rule are.
follows the order. space.
Literary Techniques
Repetition
• “they didn’t fit. They didn’t fit!” (pg 34)
• “No, no, no, no!” (pg 42)
• “rows upon rows upon…’’ (pg 38)
Monologue “I don’t know why, but it
keeps coming back to me. This
dream. Every time I get
frustrated, it comes back to
me.” (pg 32)
Symbolism
• Coffin: Pride, status of the family, wealth
“… a rare, refined, solid, polished, grand and heavy coffin” (pg 33)
Thank you